Local News

Medford Police responded to a residence in the 4500 block of Wolf Run at approximately 4:18 p.m. yesterday following a report of a female entering the home.

An observant neighbor making the report was advised to call police if the situation escalated. Upon arrival, Officers were able to confirm the identity of a wanted subject after she entered the residence. Additional information indicated the individual may have been armed.

Officers attempted to make contact with occupants but were unsuccessful. A perimeter was established while additional resources were requested.

Two adult females later exited the residence and were taken into custody without incident. Officers were informed that additional individuals may still be inside the home. A search warrant was obtained, and officers conducted a clearing of the house.

The scene was secured. Officers are in the process of clearing the scene. A total of four individuals with outstanding warrants were arrested. There are no further updates at this time.

 

With both todays and Friday's 10 a.m. Commissioner Meetings canceled, a meeting of the Temporary Board of Other Elective Administrative Officers will be held Monday, January 12th.

Starting at 3 p.m., the temporary board will select a chair, then discuss the process for Appointments to Josephine County Commissioner Positions 1 and 2. They will create a timeline for appointments, and consider whether to establish a new application deadline.

After covering contents of a new application, approval of vacancy positions, and any other matters related to the filling of the vacancies, the meeting will adjourn.

The Temporary Board Meeting will be held in the BCC Conference Room, again at 3 p.m. Those attending in person must abide by the clear bag policy, and the meeting will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

 

**Safely Located**
Grants Pass Police are searching for a missing 13-year-old boy. Kiaen Hintonsenter was last seen on January 7, at approximately 2:30 p.m. He was last known to be at his residence. Kiaen is not believed to be in danger. He is described as five-foot-four and 160 pounds. He has a right nose hoop piercing, and shaved eyebrows in the center of both. If you know the location of Kiaen, please contact your local law enforcement agency or the Grants Pass Police Department at 541-450-6260 and reference Grants Pass case #2026-726.

 

Grants Pass Police conducted a traffic stop Wednesday night that lead to the arrest of a wanted man.

At 9:23 p.m., an officer pulled over the driver of a blue Sedan near River City Grill at 150 SE K Street for failing to maintain lane. During the stop, the man, Jay Oncher, told law enforcement he was suspended out of Arizona.

Dispatch was able to confirm Oncher was actually a valid driver. However, he did have an extraditable warrant out of Douglas County for his arrest. He was taken into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail.

Oncher was lodged on his Sheriff's Office warrant charging him with First Degree Theft.

 

A woman put a basketball sized hole through her wall into the neighboring apartment's stairway Wednesday night.

She was the subject of three separate calls for service regarding her violent, threatening, and tumultuous behavior. One of the calls at 9:18 p.m. reported the woman had been yelling, screaming, and banging on the walls all night.

Ten minutes prior to the call, the suspect put a hole through the shared wall in hers and the caller's apartments. The damage was estimated to be under $500 in repair costs.

Grants Pass Police arrived at the scene in the 100 block of Southridge Way and contacted the suspect, Deserae Smith. She was taken into custody, and her father was advised of her dogs left at the property.

Smith was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct, and Third Degree Criminal Mischief.

 

The Jackson County Oregon USA Board of Commissioners honored Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Captain Josh Aldrich yesterday morning for 25 years of dedicated service.

Over his career, Captain Aldrich has risen through the ranks, led jail operations, and made lasting improvements to corrections and treatment programs locally and statewide.

Captain Aldrich’s strong work ethic, problem-solving skills, and leadership opened new opportunities within the Sheriff’s Office. He served as a field training officer and was promoted to Sergeant in 2006, where he supervised a jail shift and managed the corrections field training program.

In 2010, Captain Aldrich attended the Basic Patrol Academy and obtained his patrol certification before returning to corrections. In 2013, he was selected as the Jail’s Administrative Sergeant, further preparing him for future leadership roles. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2017 and assumed the role of Jail Commander in 2018. In November 2020, he was promoted to Captain of the Corrections Bureau.

For more than 25 years, Captain Aldrich has dedicated his career to serving the residents of Jackson County and strengthening the criminal justice system in the valley.

 

The Josephine Community Library invites children ages 5 to 10 to participate in the 2026 Library Young Writers and Illustrators Contest.

Participants are asked to create a short story and illustration inspired by the prompt, “One day, I planted a magical seed and….” Completed entries must be submitted in person by Saturday, January 17th, at any Josephine Community Library branch.

Contest prompts and submission forms are available at all four branches in Grants Pass, Illinois Valley, Williams, and Wolf Creek. Families may also access materials through ParentSquare for elementary students in Grants Pass School District 7 and Three Rivers School District.

All submitted stories and artwork will be displayed during the 2026 Summer Reading Program as part of a community art and writing show at each of the library’s four branches. Up to 15 entries will be selected for publication as part of the 2026 Community Storybook Walk.

For more information about the Library Young Writers and Illustrators Contest, the Storybook Walk, or the 2026 Summer Reading Program, visit josephinelibrary.org.

 

Rob Pell was elected President of the City Council for the calendar year 2026 on a 4 to 3 vote. Rick Riker was voted in as vice-president. The Grants Pass City Council approved an ordinance amending the city’s development code. The amendment allows new residential developments with alley-facing garages to reduce the front setback to a minimum of 10 feet, reducing the minimum of 20 feet. The amendment was passed with the goal of encouraging developers to build more housing units. A second ordinance was passed amending the municipal code to better address public safety risks associated with open flames and flammable materials in parks and exclusion orders. The amendment effectively clarifies the definitions of flammable material and cooking devices, allow the seizure and destruction of flammable materials and devices plus allow officers to designate a first offense a violation and the City Attorney to designate any

 

With the 30-day timeline now expired, a temporary board will fill the vacant Commissioner position. During an afternoon Administration Workshop, Legal Counsel Wally Hicks told the Board of Commissioners that when schedules with the other elected officials lined up, he recommended a meeting of the temporary board, without the Commissioners inclusion. Commissioner Chris Barnett had given Hicks a memorandum, and argued there was a quorum present, notwithstanding a commissioner's recusal. He said a recusal doesn't eliminate quorum nor divest the remaining commissioner of any authority. Commissioner Ron Smith disagreed, arguing there isn't anything to strip him of his discretionary rights, and that there's no point in having an elected official if they don't have said rights. Hicks said, regarding the vacancy filling, the safest route to take would be when the second vacancy occurs.